U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on July 26 helped unveil a bipartisan bill that would provide criteria for how federal funds should be used to support trauma-informed practices in America’s schools.
“I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation that will help and support children who have experienced trauma,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “Experiencing trauma at a young age can impact children’s learning ability and social development during a crucial period of their lives.”
Rep. Fitzpatrick is the lead original cosponsor of the Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2022, H.R. 8494, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) to make federal funds available for teacher professional development and after-school programs that support the implementation of trauma-informed care in school settings, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, H.R. 8494 would define ‘trauma-informed practices’ for the first time in federal education law to ensure that such practices are evidence-based and help all students, the summary says.
“Currently, there are limited resources available to facilitate trauma-informed care,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “The Trauma-Informed Schools Act will work to increase access to the resources that children need most.”
Specifically, H.R. 8494 would define trauma-informed practices as evidence-based professional development that promotes a shared understanding among all school personnel and staff that “adverse and potentially traumatic experiences are common among students; trauma can impact student learning, behavior and relationships in school; and adverse and potentially traumatic experiences do not inherently undermine the capabilities of students to reach high expectations in academics and life,” among other provisions, according to the text of the bill.
“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important that we invest directly in the mental health of our students and the professional development of our outstanding teachers,” Rep. Clark said. “The Trauma-Informed Schools Act will encourage positive, restorative interventions that will give every student a fair shot at success, regardless of the adversity they may have faced.”
H.R. 8494 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.